ACU’s College Democrats aims for change by “Turning Texas Blue”. The College Democrats has been in the midst of the campus for over 10 years, but they plan to become more well-known to the students this year.
Elizabeth Koepke, senior political science major from Dallas, is the president of the College Democrats.
“Our goal is just to educate people about what the Democratic Party actually stands for and educate them on how they actually do identify with the Democratic Party,” Koepke said.
“Turn Texas Blue” is this year’s theme for the Texas Democratic Party. The ACU College Democrats is, essentially, modeling itself after that theme and wants to bring it to ACU’s campus.
“I would really appreciate a more balanced environment when it comes to politics on campus. I know we go to a conservative school, we live in Texas, we’re in the “red” South, but the actual majority of Texas I believe is turning purple to blue,” Koepke said. “I believe that a lot of ACU’s values, and ACU’s student’s values are more democratic so to speak- very giving and forgiving.”
Koepke said in Turning Texas Blue, the College Democrats hope to inform students about the democratic party and important things that everyone should know, such as registering to vote and motivating people to take advantage of that right.
“‘Turn Texas Blue'” which basically means, getting people registered to vote, getting people to the polls, encouraging people to actually go out and vote,” Koepek said. “We want to focus on some of the issues that are pertinent to Texas this year, like women’s rights specifically speaking to issues like pro-choice and healthcare,” said Koepke.
Abby Fransen, sophomore history major from Fort Worth, said she thinks the College Democrats should be more known throughout campus.
“I think its great because there are a lot of different political beliefs on campus. I think it’s really important that both sides get represented.”
Other students, like Chantal Mwiza, sophomore marketing major from Kigali, Rwanda, also support the College Democrats in their expansion.
“I am glad to know that the College Democrats are there. I think that it is a courageous move that they are making and I am very interested to see what comes about,” said Mwiza.
Michael Kellar, junior biology major from Abilene ,said having the College Democrats on campus will be an eye-opening and influential organization on campus.
Kellar said, ” It’s always a good idea to have organizations that are meant to expound thoughts on the overall processes of ACU. I think it’s a good idea that we have a democratic college,” Kellar said. “I think its good to have as many perspectives as we can on the many points of views on campus.”
